I Found This Great Book

This week I feature mystery author Delia C. Pitts. The author of the Ross Agency Mystery Series. The series follows Shelba Rook who works for the Ross Detective Agency.

Featuring the versatile mystery author Patricia E. Canterbury. Her works include a mystery novel set in the distant future in space, a series of Middle-grade historical mysteries, a children's contemporary fantasy mystery and an amateur detective who-dun-it novel to top it all off.

Barbara Neely's page on her publisher's site A great interview with Barbara Neely conducted by mystery author Kellye Garrett in May 2019. Today I am featuring the Mystery Writers of America's 2020 Grand Master Award recipient, Barbara Neely. Barbara Neely is the author of the Blanche White mystery series. Her series features Blanche White, a smart and brave black woman who works as a maid who take...

Myra Jolivet writes cozy mysteries with a supernatural flair. She describes her work as California mysteries seasoned with Louisiana Creole mysticism. The books in her series are: Pushed Times Chewing Pepper Secrets, Spells and Snake Eyes Orchids and Omens https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/black-mystery-authors/myra-jolivet/

In 1926, seven legendary black creators set out to create a new publication. FIRE!! is one of the most important publications of the Harlem Renaissance. It marks a great collaboration between many of the artists who would go on to change the world of literature and art. These seven creators organized and funded this important work. Wallace Thurman - Novelist & Editor Langston Hughes - Poet, Playwr...

Karla FC Holloway is the author of "A Death in Harlem". This is a very intriguing book for me because of the tie to a classic book of the Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Holloway uses the tragic and mysterious death that occurs at the end of Nella Larsen's "Passing" as a launch point for a fascinating mystery set in 1920 Harlem. https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/black-mystery-authors/karla-fc-holloway/...

Elizabeth Wilkerson was one of Silicon Valley's first cyber-lawyers and she uses that life experience to build the world and mystery in her Afro-futurist mystery, Tokyo Firewall. Elizabeth lived in Japan where she practiced securities law and founded a company to present African American culture to Japanese audiences. She also learned how to make perfect miso soup. A native of Cleveland, she gradu...

Key points from Zora and Langston Provides a good overview of the years before and the years of the Harlem Renaissance Very interesting that in the twenty years between 1900 - 1920, only 10 novels were published by black authors. The book provides details about the growth of available literature by black writers in the 20's and 30's. The role of patronage and access to funding and publishing playe...

I am in the process of building a directory of black mystery authors . Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I post information on mystery author who is black. This directory will include authors from all over the world. I am building this directory to expand on the great work started by Eleanor Taylor Bland and continued by Frankie Y. Bailey that resulted in Frankie's List on the Sisters in Crime we...

Eleanor Taylor Bland was a pioneering author of police procedural mysteries who made a mark on the mystery world with her Marti MacAlister series. She not only made a mark with her books, Eleanor Taylor Bland inspired and guided unpublished mystery authors in fulfilling their dreams of being published. Her work with new authors and the mystery writing communities inspired the creation of the Elean...

This week I am featuring two children books by Charnora Reid. Learn More at: Charnora Reid post on my website Charnora Reid's Website

This week I am featuring mystery author Frankie Y Bailey. Learn more at: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/featured-authors/mystery-author-frankie-y-bailey Frankie Y Bailey's Website Frankie's List on the Sister's in Crime Website

In this episode, I discuss the autobiography of John H. Johnson who started Johnson Publishing. His most famous publications are Ebony Magazine and Jet. Learn More at: https://www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/succeeding-against-the-odds-john-h-johnson

I talk about Pauline Hopkins' short story, Talma Gordon. Published in 1900, Talma Gordon is credited as the first published mystery by a black author. Learn more at www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com

On this episode I share my experience of listening to the audiobook version of 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell. Pamela D'Pella is the narrator. She has a wonderful voice that captures the mood of the story. This is the story of Keri Whitmore and her daughter Trina. It starts as Trina is turning 18 and the world is wide and wonderful for her, but a diagnosis of Bi-Polar disorder is about to sha...

In this episode I am featuring the horror novella "The Ballad of Black Tom" and the graphic novel series "Destroyer" by Victor Lavalle. How did I find "The Ballad of Black Tom" by Victor Lavalle? Why do I like this book? More about Victor Lavalle's Destroyer series? Click here to read the full show notes In 2019, besides the 26+ books I will read for the podcast, I plan to participate in two chall...

Chris Ferrie has created an innovative and fun line of books designed to introduce science to babies and when I say babies I mean infants. Chris Ferrie's books use colorful and simple images along with easy to understand language to explain concepts in Quantum Physics, Newtonian Physics, Chemistry and more. These books are designed for parents to read to their infants . By introducing babies to bi...

For over 20 years I have shopped at Brett Hewitt's Positive Vibes store in Virginia Beach. One of the key things I know I can find in his store are wonderful books for African American children. Positive Vibes has a wide selection of books that I have given as gifts for nephews, nieces and friend's children. In this episode I want to feature four children's books I purchased from Brett's store. Le...

I discuss two cozy mysteries by African American authors that are unique, addictive and fun. Barbara Neely's "Blanche on the Lam" and V.M. Burns "The Plot is Murder". In this episode I talk about the following: What makes a mystery a cozy mystery www.cozy-mystery.com Barbara Neely's "Blanche on the Lam" V.M. Burns' "The Plot is Murder" Frankie's List is a great source to find mystery writers of co...

YouTube is a great resource for everything from videos on how to unclog a toilet to cute pet videos. YouTube is also a great place for readers and lovers of books. There are a group of people who create videos about the books they have and want to read. The name of this community of video creators is BookTube and the people who create these videos call themselves BookTubers. I stumbled upon this c...

Thriller author Dwayne Alexander Smith joins me to talk about his great book "Forty Acres". A suspenseful page turner that you will not be able to put down. Mix a secret society of black men, modern day slavery and one man's courage and you have the ingredients use by Dwayne Alexander Smith in "Forty Acres" I loved reading this book. The pacing, the suspense and the courage to take on the horror o...

The novel Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland is very interesting story of a supernatural struggle that involves the Greek mythological figures of the Furies and one young lady. Set in a modern world, Justina Ireland uses the characters and background story of the Furies to paint a suspenseful and thrilling story. Cory Graff is a young lady who just wants to be a normal teenager, finish high school...

In this episode I discuss the following: What do I like to read Mysteries Science Fiction Horror History Biographies - in particular jazz artists Literary Fiction Always wanted to but did not do Setting obtainable goals - small steps to climb a mountain Read at least 50 short stories this year Read all the Simple stories by Langston Hughes Read at least 12 books that have been on my To Be Read Lis...

Kathy Strahs - Innovative Cookbooks For Delicious, Convenient and Fun Meals Author Kathy Strahs is an innovative author of cookbooks that teach people how to use common items to create wonderful and convenient meals. Kathy shows us how to take that appliance or dish that has been gathering dust and use it to produce some delicious and innovative meals. We learn how Kathy Strahs started her blog an...

Author Kenya Moss-Dyme joins me to discuss her horror short story collections. When I read Kenya's short stories, I was so impressed by her effective use of surprise in her horror stories (Horror with a mean left hook). I had such a great time talking with Kenya and learning about her writing process and discussing her books. Interview Highlights Kenya shares a bit about the first story she create...